With The First Pick
Fansided

Leonard Floyd Impressing Chicago Bears

By Carl Cockerham

May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Chicago Bears look to have an explosive offense coming back despite the loss of running back Matt Forte. Quarterback Jack Cutler is coming off his best year in the NFL in 2015. And he’ll be returning with deep threat Alshon Jeffery and 2015 1st-round pick Kevin White.

So if they can build a “Monsters of the Midway” defense to stop the run and get after opposing quarterbacks, they’ll be back in business. They started that off last year by drafting NT Eddie Goldman acquiring OLB Pernell McPhee in free agency.

And they looked like two good blocks to build from but not enough to make a great defense. So this offseason, they went out and got ILBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman in free agency. That will help improve on the 4.5 yards per carry they gave up on the ground in 2015.

Then they drafted Leonard Floyd in the first round to partner up with McPhee as an edge-rusher. The Bears were ranked No. 22 in the NFL last year in sacks with only 35. And if the Bears’ first impression of him in OTA’s is any indication, that will change in 2016.

The outside linebacker from Georgia, has impressed veteran teammates with his speed and athleticism. Trevathan is among those that have been very impressed with him and sounds as excited as can be to get to work with him this upcoming season.

He told Chicago Bears.com, “He’s quick, fast and instinctive. That’s what you want out here. He’s kind of a natural athlete. When he gets out here and learns the plays a little bit more and once we put on pads we can really see what’s going on. Right now we see how quick he is and how agile he is.”

Offensive lineman Kyle Long said, “He’s big and fast. He’s very long. He’s got really good hips and leverage. Being back inside, I haven’t had an opportunity to go against him. But you see it on tape. He flashes some really, really good stuff.

“He can run all over the field. He covers anything with a heartbeat and he can rush the passer, so that’s a dynamic guy.”

The Bears will need that for their defense to be able to compete out in the NFC North. Afterall, they have the best quarterback (Aaron Rodgers) and the best running back (Adrian Peterson) in the NFL in that division.

Home/Chicago Bears